I’m considering moving internationally. For people in the U.S. this is a fairly foreign concept (see what I did there?). Most of the U.S. population doesn’t consider moving internationally. The country’s too big. There’s something for everyone. But, we’ve also been taught from the first days of school that the U.S. is the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave…and everyone wants to come here.
Lately, I’ve been wanting to do anything but be here.
The government chaos, unsettling destruction of social programs, the defunding of the arts, unqualified billionaires in power, and cost of living has eroded — within months — our standing as a nation.
I consider myself well-traveled by comparison to the average U.S. citizen. I’ve stepped foot on five continents and more than 20 countries. I’ve even lived in a few for months at a time. I enjoy learning about other cultures, eating food, learning history, understanding our human connectedness.
Our country’s downfall, along with my ever yearning wanderlust, has again prompted me to consider moving.
But I need to ask myself why I’m doing it. There are plusses and minuses to doing this but I wanted to consider the following aspects: quality of life, how far can my dollar go, is it sustainable, healthcare, culture and weather.
If it’s for a cheaper cost of living, there are ways I can do that here in the U.S. I can get a roommate in a less-expensive area. While easier, I really don’t want to do that. I’d be selling out to my ideals by living in places like Texas.
If it’s for a better quality of life, there are places in the U.S. where that’s possible but it costs a lot. I’d strongly consider southern California because of the beaches, weather, walkability, and more. New York, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. are great options, but it’s more expensive than so many other places in the U.S.
If it’s for social purposes, I’m limiting myself to countries where i know people. I am giving into fear that I won’t have a community or won’t be able to create one when I go. This isn’t true. There are expats everywhere. And, I can make new friends.
Healthcare is great in other countries. Spain is top-notch. Costa Rica isn’t so much but I only have one issue that isn’t even chronic at this point.
Distance from family…it’s a wash.
So, why am I doing it? It’s a mix of all of these things. I’m nervous. I need to take the fear and use it to my advantage. I need to work through why and get over it.